Restoring Sacramento River's flow near Woodson Bridge

CORNING - A decades old plan to restore the flow of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge appears to finally have the funding to move forward.

The Department of Water Resource presented the Kopta Slough Flood Damage Reduction and Habitat Restoration Project to the Tehama County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

The plan would restore the river to its natural flow it had before the 1960s when engineers concerned about erosion problems built a rock bank north of the bridge to redirect the water flow to the east.

The intention of the previous plan worked, but it has also caused erosion concerns on the other bank of the river, specifically in Woodson Bridge and frequent flooding in the South Avenue area.

Supervisor Dennis Garton said his main concern with the Kopta Slough project was that it wouldn't get done before the river washed away the bridge.

The first stage of the project would be to transfer ownership of the 648-acre Kopta Slough property.

That land, being used for alfalfa a production, is part of the State Controller Environmental Trust.

DWR Environmental Program Manager Aric Lester said originally the plan was to have the state purchase the property, but due to the financial troubles of the State Parks system U.S. Fish and Wildlife is now being looked at.

As far back as 2007 the Tehama County Board of Supervisors urged state officials to transfer ownership.

Once the property is either in state or federal control, officials would restore 176 acres of riparian habitat in the northeast section.

Lester said that would provide advance mitigation for other flood projects in the area.

To fix the river's erosion problem the 1960s rock revetments would be removed.

That would allow the river's main channel to reconnect its natural flow of the Kopta Slough.

In addition officials would work to clear up unwanted erosion caused at the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, Woodson Bridge and the city of Corning's sewer outfall.

Those projects may include another rock formation.

Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum Executive Director Jane Dolan said the project would deal with a variety of issues facing the area including the river itself, agriculture, the ecosystem, boating and recreation opportunities.

Dolan told the board funding has been secured up until the point where the project would need to go out to bid. She said she expected public comment periods to be held as early as December, with final environmental documents completed by this time next year.

A feasibility study on the project was completed in 2002-03, but at that time the US Army Corps of Engineers could not find a funding source.

In the years that have passed DWR has taken over spearheading the project.

Supervisor Burt Bundy said the Kopta Slough area, which was previously used for almond and peach grows, was historically known for flooding.

Dolan said an earlier idea to build a pilot channel has since been scrapped. He said officials believed the geology on the west bank, especially the Tehama Formation bluffs would prevent future erosion once the water is restored to its natural flow.

The Tehama County Board of Supervisors met as the Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

--------- Rich Greene can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 109 or by email at rgreene@redbluffdailynews.c om.